Lot Essay
The practice of resetting classical intaglios and using them as signet-rings or seal matrices was widespread in the middle ages. For a comparable example in the British Museum, see Cherry, loc. cit..
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
A LEAD AND HARDSTONE PENDANT SEAL
Details
A LEAD AND HARDSTONE PENDANT SEAL
ENGLISH, PROBABLY 13TH CENTURY
The central intaglio carved with a walking bull; probably East Roman, and dating from the 4th or 5th century; the medieval lead setting inscribed in reverse 'SIGILL SECRETI', and with a loop to the reverse.
7/8in. (2.2cm.) high
ENGLISH, PROBABLY 13TH CENTURY
The central intaglio carved with a walking bull; probably East Roman, and dating from the 4th or 5th century; the medieval lead setting inscribed in reverse 'SIGILL SECRETI', and with a loop to the reverse.
7/8in. (2.2cm.) high
Literature
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
J. Cherry, Medieval Decorative Art, London, 1991, p. 55, fig. 71
J. Cherry, Medieval Decorative Art, London, 1991, p. 55, fig. 71